Growing lettuce on water

Lettuce growing on water. It is a new trend, that is in in full development right now in the Netherlands. In all the other countries this is nothing new, but a new view on the cultivation method from a Dutch collaboration resulted in a serious leap forward. The company Pater Broersen in Waarland recently had a first with the realization of the first pond, which uses the Dry Hydroponics growing system.

In the growing pond in Waarland there are bobbing floats, which are plant holders for the lettuce. These drivers are the strength of the Dry Hydroponic system. They make it possible for the plant to get sufficient water, fertilizer and oxygen at all times which allows the lettuce to grow optimally. Once ready to harvest the crops are transported by a crane and automatically placed into a conveyor trough. This trough brings the floats, by forward propulsion of water to the central harvest point. There the drivers are brought automatically on a belt into the central warehouse, after which the lettuce can be packed.

Nature Counts
The ponds filled with rainwater form a closed circuit. Leaching of fertilizers and pesticides to the soil or surface water is therefore excluded. This ensures a sustainable way of growing. It was without reason that Pater Broersen received the sustainability label, Nature Counts from The Greenery. Dave Smith from Pater Broersen: "This new affordable system is not only sustainable for consumers, but also for me as an entrepreneur. It is more qualitative and affordable, but provides also a better end result. I also tackle other problems of energy waste. For us, water the new oil. "Dave is referring to the fact that he now saves 6000 litres of fuel by not having to drive across the fields with a tractor. The cost that he thereby saves, are now inserted in the quality of the water.